Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

After their usual jaunt over to the mainland, Watts had headed to the kitchen to do a bit of baking, and then to the library for some piano practice.

And as he'd told Steven the other day at lunch, he was close to mastering the piece he was currently working on. Maddeningly close, in fact. So absorbed was he in getting to the point where he could play it through without a stumble that he did not notice as the hour ticked over past that where he usually stopped for the evening so he and Steven could have dinner together. Instead, he kept playing, and playing, single-minded in his determination to finally master the piece.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"I like that," Steven said. "More love in the world. Compassion. So it's not just the knight who's reaching out. The world is too."

[pocketpretzels]

"And for those things that are- confusing. Overwhelming. The knight is there too, ever patient as the prince learns to navigate this new world."

[hasaknightjob]

"He protects the prince," Steven suggested. "With a shield or - or a nice coat, maybe."

Not a cape. Capes were silly.

[pocketpretzels]

"Either, both, depending on the situation," Watts agreed. "Different problems require different solutions."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled at Llewellyn fondly. "See? There you are being smart again."

[pocketpretzels]

"Thank you, darling," Watts replied, smiling back at Steven. "And thank you- for being my Gentleman Knight. Not just- not just in a story. For real."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven replied, touched by the sentiment. He leaned down to kiss Llewellyn again. "Thank you for being my dearest prince. Who has given me an anchor so I can have wonderful things and not get lost."

[pocketpretzels]

When Steven leaned down, he might happen to see a hint of wetness gathering in Watts's eyes as he kissed Steven back.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven did. He tried to see if he could gently kiss that wetness away.

[pocketpretzels]

A shaky breath, then another. "Sorry," Watts murmured. "Sorry, I-"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked at him with concern. "Love, are you all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts said emphatically. "Yes. I'm wonderful. I'm happy." He couldn't explain it, the sudden surge of emotion that had hit him, pulled him under like a riptide.

[hasaknightjob]

Even so, Steven moved the hand on Llewellyn's chest over to his side in more of a hug. "Good tears then? Grateful?"

[pocketpretzels]

"G- Grateful," Watts echoed, his voice stumbling over the word, realising its accuracy as he said it aloud. "Relieved."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven moved to hug Llewellyn as best as he was able in their current position. "We found each other. Our hearts needed one another, and here we are."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts brought his knees up to his chest, curling in and making himself as small as possible. "Here we are," he agreed, breath hitching.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven adjusted his position so he could hold Llewellyn nice and tight. "Here. At home. A family."

[pocketpretzels]

"That's all- that's all I've ever wanted," Watts gasped out. "A family of my own. A place I- somewhere I was wanted."

[hasaknightjob]

"You're wanted, Llewellyn," Steven told him. "By me. By Marc. By our pets and our home. We're all family."

[pocketpretzels]

"Strange and beautiful and ours," Watts sniffled.

[hasaknightjob]

"Much like ourselves," Steven said with a soft smile. "Strange but beautiful and loved."

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts murmured. "Yes, exactly."

[hasaknightjob]

"Perfect for us," Steven said. "A family of our own. Where we belong. No struggling to be something we're not."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not in spite," Watts said, watery smile forming. "Never in spite."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven felt a warmth bloom in his chest upon hearing that.

"Loved exactly as we are. Not in spite. Not too much."